AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was gonna wait until later for the chapter to be corrected, but I figure it's pretty okay. And since you guys have been pretty awesome thus far. I was considering writing a sequel (I'm not sure what to call it yet though) concerning Bruce and Jason. If you've ever watched Batman and the Red Hood I really loved that movie. But it made me mad that at the ending I could never figure out if Jason had died or lived in the blast. I'm assuming he lived. Well, that's all for now. I'll let your imaginations do the work.

Chapter 25

Slowly, but surely, he finally came to terms with his situation.

There was no escape from this place. No one was on their way to save him. Not even his captor could be bothered to care about him. It seemed he was only kept around due to the fact Kal-El had taken an oath not to kill. Apparently he bent that rule to torment and torture his captive as he deemed necessary. At times even making up excuses as to why he should beat the blind man. Bruce bore these beatings quietly and trembling. Often they would hurt for days afterward, but the threat of having his limbs torn off was real. To be mutilated further was what he wished to avoid.

Quietly he went about his work. Resigned himself to learning everything he could of this new, dark world of his. While he grieved for his sight Bruce found a strange way his world expanded. Small things he had never noticed before became the biggest thing. Just the echo of his own footsteps Bruce he could measure his stride to it. Finding doorways just by how the echo came back to him. Small variations in it that allowed him to tell if the doors were opened, closed, left ajar, or if they had been propped open.

A thousand new sensations began to come to him. Vibrations in the floor alerted Bruce to when one of the robots were approaching. He could duck out of their way, despite the fact they had been given orders to ignore him. He had yet to be hurt by any of them, but he still did not wish to take the chance.

By scent alone he began to open at least a new discovery for himself. He could tell if a dish was done just by the scent. Even reaching out to allow his hand to hover over a boiling pot to determine if he should allow it to cook more or not. He became an expert and balancing plates while blind. Using his feet to navigate his way across the floor by putting one foot down and sliding it forward a few inches. He did this in such a way it almost became a dance for him. One Superman deemed strange, but only ever made a passing comment about it.

A strained silence became the norm between him and Kal-El. It soon became clear the alien had no clear use for Bruce anymore. Except for a means to take out his frustration on. From time to time Bruce was subject to the other's lust as well. However, these couplings were forced, quick, and soon over. While the man found he did tense when they happened at the very least Kal-El would lock himself in his room for hours on end. Refusing to come out even when one of his many robots brought him food. Bruce soon did not become surprised to find these dishes abandoned outside the other's door and would clean them up. It also presented the opportunity for him to sneak a few extra bites to eat.

Bruce noticed his body became noticeably thinner. While not emaciated, he knew a man like himself was underweight. When he rested a hand on his side he could feel his ribs poking through. All the muscle he had built up as his years as Batman had all but vanished leaving him as a shadow of a man. He longed for the days when he had been a billionaire. The large banquets Alfred would set out with an army of young servants. Preparing dishes from all around the world. The lavish Christmas dinners Alfred would cook that could have fed ten people, when in reality only the two of them would sit down to enjoy it.

Joy became all but devoid in Bruce's life. He began to find his imaginings as his former persona became ever more distant. They began to fade from his mind's eye until he could barely recall what it felt to be the Batman. Had he ever truly been so frightening? Had he once been so strong? Shaking his head dejectedly Bruce would push these thoughts from his mind and go back to folding the laundry.

He began to notice changes in Kal-El a few months after his "punishment" had taken place. While he could not see it, Bruce could certainly hear it. For once Superman began to sound like himself. One morning surprising Bruce with a plate of food he had left out. They were leftovers from his own breakfast, but it was eggs, bacon, and pancakes. Bruce devoured the food in moments and even found to his shock coffee had been left for him.

What had warranted this goodwill towards him? Perhaps it was another trick to lure him into a false sense of security. Yet he found Kal-El began to beat him less and less. Often when the alien came home he began to talk. Whether he spoke to his captive or just wanted to hear the sound of his own voice it became clear what was happening.

"Barry discovered a new café that just opened down the street from his apartment. We've been going there every morning for breakfast. At this rate Barry said he's going to go broke." Kal-El said wryly one afternoon. Bruce was silently cleaning the floor but the alien hardly seemed to notice. Continuing to talk as if he were carrying a conversation with the blind man.

"Every time we got there he insists on buying nearly all the croissants. The poor woman who owns the shop thinks he does it to share with the rest of the officers on duty when he goes to work. Barry said he can't stop eating them though, they're that good. If he'd let me try one I'd know what all the fuss was about." Kal-El continued. For a moment he studied Bruce Wayne without saying anything. Noticed how the man's shoulders had tensed at the sound of his voice, but relaxed when he became quiet.

"So tell me, Bruce, what do you think?" Superman asked bluntly. For a second Bruce froze at the question. He seemed to teeter on the edge of actually answering the alien or choosing silence. Then the former CEO steeled himself hoping his said the right thing.

"I hope both of you are happy together." Bruce said in a low tone. Kal-El scoffed softly at this answer going back to drinking his coffee. He frowned as he read the newspaper in front of him about the snow hitting the East Coast. Why did idiots consider it smart to speed when it snowed?

"I've been working on a new project lately." Kal-El said deciding he wanted to move on from the subject.

"I found a larger glacier to move into. It's thicker than this one and will be located further underground then this one is. If you could see it I'm sure you would pay attention to it. It's ten times bigger than this place." Superman explained.

Bruce's grip tightened on the mop he was using continuing the scrub the floor. A new fortress? He had just begun to learn his way around this one. Rather than argue the man only caught his breath. Forcing the protests down in his throat while telling himself it wasn't worth it. Especially if the alien felt proud of himself for finding a new home. After all, he had no say in it at the end.

"I've been considering what I'm going to do with you. You see, I'm planning on bringing Barry there. The last thing I need, however, is him to see you and getting cold feet."

Bruce shuddered when he felt his hair ruffle from a sudden gust of wind. He bumped his head into something hard and abruptly took a step back. Kal-El reached out and snatched Bruce's wrist to prevent the man from getting away. Continuing to talk as if they were discussing the matter over tea.

"I've decided it would be best to leave you here. I'll make sure you have adequate supplies to survive for a couple of weeks until I get back. I've already began to transfer most of my robots to new fortress. Once Ned is done in Africa I've programmed him to come back here to help you out."

"You can't-"

"The plants in the green room are starting to mature. As long as you keep setting the nutrients out for them along the soil they should last you for a while. If I don't return in time they should provide you with enough food until I can."

"But I-"

"You'll be alright, won't you? Of course you will. No offense, but you have become increasingly irritating over the years. This is the best for both of us."

"For you, perhaps, but not for me." Bruce cut in. His voice was quiet when he spoke. Hesitant to speak to loudly lest he anger the other. Superman gazed at the blind man amused at this small show of bravado.

"Now why do you say that? In your opinion, what should I do with you then?" Superman asked deciding to play along. Bruce hesitated unused to being asked his opinion.

"You could…take me back home."

"To whom, Bruce? Your company was bought up and your house given over to the bank."

"Dick could-"

"Okay. Say I listen to you, and drop you off with your former student. What then? He has spend the rest of his life caring for a blind man. Face it, Bruce, you don't have anything outside of here. It's gone. All of it. I mean, if that's what you really want, I'll do it." Kal-El said as he rose from the table. Picking up his coffee and dumping it into the sink along with his plates as he continued to speak.

"But just so you know you'll be nothing but a burden on the poor boy. He has an entire city to protect and here you are being selfish."

"I never-"

"There is always Alfred, I suppose. He moved back to London though. You know, he actually started working as a spy again? I never really inquired what it is he does, but last I checked he's very happy. Glad to be working again. But hasn't he served your needs enough?" Superman shot at Bruce. After a few minutes his servant fell quiet gazing down at the floor without saying a word. Satisfied he had managed to make the other back down he allowed his tone to grow harsher.

"This is all that's left for you. Be glad I've been kind enough to allow you live out the rest of your life here, Bruce."

There was no other response. Bruce quietly finished his chore and left the kitchen soon after. Yet Superman was left with a bitter taste in his mouth. His relationship with Barry had been working out well thus far. He could not remember the last time he had been so happy. As he began to construct his new fortress he had begun to branch out into other hobbies. Gazing at his former partner now he felt a lick of guilt. What had driven him so far to claim this man as his own? Kal-El could honestly say he could not remember. Yet some part of him did not wish to let Bruce go. Not only would it threaten to expose him, but he still felt as if in some way the man was his. He did not wish to release him no matter the circumstances.

Perhaps I should show him some small amount of mercy. He is lonely, no doubt.

Kal-El left the kitchen hearing Bruce making his way to the garden to tend to the plants. He heard the man talking to himself late at night. It was obvious the man's sanity had begun to slip away with neglect. He felt a pain in his chest the thought but buried it deep. Still, the thought lingered in the back of his mind. A companion for Bruce. Someone the blind man could talk too, but who could not speak back. Yet they would remain loyal to himself, Superman, and be friends with Bruce without a second thought.

He smiled to himself when the idea came to him. Well, he had no use for the occupant in the Kryptonian capsule.

The day passed by uneventfully. Bruce brooded over the fact he would soon be left behind. Left to rot in what he had come to call the Crystal Prison. Punished simply because he had dared to trust one of the strongest beings on planet Earth. His only reward being life imprisonment and the loss of his sight. His dreams of ever rising once again as the Batman had long since faded away with his sight.

This is really all that's left for me, isn't there?

Bruce thought dejectedly as he counted his steps to the kitchen. Kal-El would be mad if lunch had not been prepared for him ahead of time. He brushed his hand along the wall keeping track of his progress as he walked. There was a right turn he had to take at some point along this hallway. He didn't want to end up back where the alien's personal zoo was kept. It took him forever to find his way out of there.

Bruce frowned when he began to hear clicking sounds. Tilting his head he stopped where he was as the sound came closer. Beneath the clicking he could hear the snap of Superman's cape as the other walked beside this new noise. What in the world was it? For an instant Bruce wondered if it was a woman in heels he was hearing, but then shook his head. No, Kal-El definitely seemed to have a thing for men. Perhaps at some point the alien may have truly cared for Lois Lane. Perhaps even loved her, but that had died along with the alien's adopted parents.

"Go get him, boy." Kal-El's voice said closer than Bruce had judged it to be. The click hurried up and all at once Bruce felt sharp claws pressing into his chest. He let out a sharp cry of panic as he was fell back. Scrambling to get back up but the creature on top of him had begun to growl.

Instead of the bite he had been inspecting he felt a soft, warm tongue on his face. For a moment Bruce was in complete shock. Then came to the slow realization the growling was playful, not territorial. On top of him the animal had begun to whine pawing at Bruce's shoulder then lapping at his face again. With great effort the blind man pushed himself into the sitting position. Reaching up he reached out and felt a plush ear give away beneath his hand. Then an elongated head and a wet snout at the end of it. The animal whined again pressing itself into the caress the thump of the tail against the wall telling Bruce what it was.

"Is this…a dog?" Bruce said dumbfounded. He heard Kal-El chuckle as the dog began to whine again. Still shocked by the presence of the animal Bruce wrapped an arm around the dog's neck in a partial hug. Immediately he felt the dog bark happily then another shock. He began to feel himself being lifted only to realize the dog was floating. Lifting Bruce easily off the floor and back to his feet.

"Yes. His name is Krypto. I'm not sure the logistics of how he got here, but he was sent right before I was to test the ship my father had built. I had always assumed he perished in the test. Aren't you glad I was wrong?" Superman stated calmly.

At first he wondered if Bruce even liked the animal. Then like the sun coming out from behind the clouds a serene look came over the blind man's face. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth barely daring to reveal itself. Scared this small gift would be ripped from him if he dared to enjoy it. Hesitantly, Bruce put his hand on the dog and petted it from head to tail. Krypto danced happily at the attention barking excitedly as he licked his new master's face.

"Hello there, Krypto, I'm Bruce." Bruce said quietly to the dog. Krypto nuzzled him the warm body of the dog comforting. He still felt a mild form of shock the animal had still been presented to him.

"Am I to take care of him for you?" Bruce asked quietly. He heard Superman give a sharp gasp at the question. Had he overstepped his boundaries on this one?

"No. He's yours. I don't have the time or patience for a pet right now. Especially not one who has the same abilities as I do. No offense, Krypto." Kal-El said. He petted the dog when it came back to him wagging its tail happily.

Bruce felt his mouth go dry. He reached out his hand and felt Krypto butt his head into the touch automatically. The dog wagging its tail as it began to whine again. Then he was wrapping his arms around the animal and holding it close. He heard Superman walk away his cape fluttering behind him.

Closing his eyes Bruce buried his head into the dog's fur. His shoulders began to shake as he cried as the animal continued to whine. Nuzzling his face and licking every part of Bruce it could reach. Krypto was clearly happy to remain here with him.

"Good boy, Kyrpto, good boy." Bruce kept whispering as the tears came. After a while he dried his eyes on his sleeve. He let out a low whistle and he heard the dog's claws click as it began to follow him.

"Kitchen? Can you take me to the kitchen?" Bruce asked the dog. Krypto barked and a second later Bruce felt the dog pressing against his leg. Together they walked to the kitchen. Krypto pressing against his legs when he wanted the man to turn. Guiding him with gentle pressure to the kitchen.

"Thank you." Bruce whispered to the animal.